There's a lot in the works in Mid-County

Published 12:00 am, Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A new Shell gas station is in the works here at the intersection of 366 and Nederland Avenue in Port Neches. Beth Rankin/The Enterprise

A new Shell gas station is in the works here at the intersection of 366 and Nederland Avenue in Port Neches. Beth Rankin/The Enterprise

Photo: Beaumont

There's a lot in the works in Mid-County

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Owners of Tropical Grill, currently located in Port Arthur, say they will open a new restaurant in at 4300 FM 365 in Nederland because business on Gulfway Drive has waned.

"Business will be a lot better in Mid-County," said Ricardo Figuerra, owner of the restaurant. "We've been here five years but everything is moving away from this area so that's why we're going to 365."

Figuerra said that although his restaurant - which serves Caribbean-style dishes - sees a lot of traffic on Gulfway from refinery workers, he said many businesses in the area have pulled out and that brings less traffic to his business, especially at night.

"Some people say they're scared to come to this area and they don't have all the reasons to come to this area anymore, especially in the evening," Figuerra said. "We've never had any problems here, but people still don't want to come to this area. Mid-County is where everything is going on right now."

Figuerra said the new restaurant will open in two to three months and that he plans to keep the second location open before he decides if he wants to leave the Gulfway Drive space.

That's not all that's new in Nederland.

- A building permit was recently issued for a new Burger King at 3619 Nederland Ave.

Nederland building inspector George Wheeler said the Burger King will likely open sometime this summer. It will be Nederland's first Burger King.

Currently, the closest Burger Kings are on Twin City Highway in Port Arthur and North Main Street in Vidor.

- A vacant lot at the intersection of FM 366 and Nederland Avenue will be the future home of a new Shell gas station. Construction has not yet started, but it is expected to open by fall.

- Nederland is also growing residentially: Wheeler said the permit office has been busier than usual handling the recent rise in applications for new home permits.

"In one month, there have been 11 new home permits," he said, adding that 11 is a record number for the city in one month. "That's pretty good."

- At 8725 Memorial Blvd. in Port Arthur, the much-anticipated new Best Buy will open this Thursday with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.